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This week we noticed the TYR Hurricane Freak of Nature wetsuit, the Rapha Embrocation, the Arcteryx Trino jacket, a Bespoke doormat, a Zippo hand warmer, interesting cufflinks and a bike versus blades battle.

TYR Freak of Nature

What: The TYR Hurricane Freak of Nature wetsuit was announced at Interbike, but was not yet revealed. Lance Armstrong showed up with one a few weeks later at the XTERRA USA championships in Ogden, Utah. Now you can own one of these soft and pliant $1,200 suits.
Sizes: S, SM, M, ML, L (men) S,SM, M, ML (women)
MSRP: $1,200
Website: tyr.com

TYR Launches FINA-Approved American-Made Speedsuit
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, December 6. BUILT in America and engineered in the pursuit of gold, TYR’s new Alchemy Project 2012 speedsuit series redefines the physics of fast. Going far beyond what was previously thought possible, the TYR R&D team utilized the most advanced hydrodynamic technology in developing the FINA approved AP12. Turbo compression fabric, anatomically engineered fit, and bonded four-way lock seams combine to create a ruthless force in the water.

Sleek and explosive, the AP12 uses compression and construction to optimize body position and reduce form drag in the water. Muscles will fire faster, blood flow will be increased, and the core will be engaged. Representing a whole new level of performance, the AP12 sets a new benchmark in speed with its state of the art design.

Racing in the new AP12 speedsuit series will be TYR’s elite team of athletes, which includes World Record Holders and Olympic Medalists. International athletes include reigning world champions Camille Lacourt (France) and Jeanette Ottesen (Denmark), and World Short Course Medalists Markus and Steffen Deibler (Germany). TYR’s team of U.S. athletes led by Matt Grevers (2008 Beijing Gold & Silver Medalist), Ariana Kukors (Current World Record Holder and Former World Champion), Ricky Berens (2008 Beijing Gold Medalist), Megan Jendrick (2000 Sydney Gold Medalist & 2008 Beijing Silver Medalist), Amanda Weir (2004 Athens Silver Medalist), Nick Thoman (World Record Holder), and Josh Schneider (American Record Holder) will also look to dominate in the AP12 this race season.

2011 World Champion in the 100m backstroke Camille Lacourt touted AP12’s performance qualities saying:”The AP12 is the first technical suit that I have contributed to by working with the product developers at TYR. The result is stunning! Using the latest technological innovations and adapting them to the extreme demands of competitive swimmers, TYR has made the lightest, most compressive speedsuit. Given the importance of 2012, I know I have the best equipment to face my competitors.”

Made of a lightweight, hydrophobic micro-filament textile, AP12’s turbo compression fabric provides enhanced stretch and memory retention. Specialized seams combine with sleek designs to optimize body position and reduce drag. Four new race styles (all offered in a new unique Black/Gold engineered print) increase surface area coverage to enhance speed.

“Like most swimmers I want to go fast! Anything that can help me go faster I’ve learned to love and appreciate, and I really appreciate the new TYR AP12 speedsuit! More speed and less pain is the name of the game!” said two-time Beijing Medalist Matt Grevers.

The AP12’s hydrodynamic three-panel design is constructed to maximize compression. The combination of bonded seams on the inside and four-way lock seams on the outside creates the lowest possible profile and enhances the durability of the speedsuit.

“The AP12 Compression High Back is a genius competitive advantage. In a sport that is won or lost by fractions of a second, the super fast AP12 will give me the edge I need this race season,” said Ariana Kukors, current World Record Holder in the 200m IM.

Uncompromisingly superior and unmistakably TYR, the AP12 speedsuit series will be available for pre-order December 6th, with widespread availability in January 2012. For more information on AP12, please visit tyr.com/ap12.

TYR Freak of Nature, $1,200
A wetsuit that costs $1,200? Yes, TYR has one. Taking the Freak of Nature into transition is guaranteed to set you apart. It begins with the special wood and metal case that is inscribed with a special serial number. (Oh, did we mention this is a limited model?) It continues with the super-comfy and snug fit thanks to the Yamamoto #40 neoprene that�s used throughout this suit. TYR has thrown in pretty much every bell and whistle they can, too. There are special elevation panels made with aerated neoprene to optimize your position in the water, stretch panels (ROM Zones, as the TYR folks like to call them) to provide optimal flexibility where you need it, quick-release ankle cuffs and V-GCP panels to improve your catch. (If you need to ask, this might not be for you.) TYR wants to make the process of buying a wetsuit like buying a car. This one will feel like you�re off to get a Ferrari. Look for our full review of the Freak of Nature in our March issue.

TYR Introduces AP12 Speedsuit
Tyr is not about to let competitor Speedo get all the attention.

Less than a week after its rival introduced the Fastskin3 racing system that its athletes will wear in the 2012 London Olympics, Tyr released its version, the AP12.

The name is short for the Alchemy Project 2012, which is “built in America and engineered in the pursuit of gold,” the Huntington Beach, Calif.-based company said.

The speed suit, which employs advanced hydrodynamic technology, has been approved by FINA, the governing body of the sport.

The AP12 uses compression and construction to reduce drag in the water, make the muscles fire faster, increase blood flow and engage the core, Tyr said.

The suit will be worn by reigning world champions Camille Lacourt of France and Jeanette Ottesen of Denmark, along with World Short Course medalists Markus and Steffen Deibler of Germany. Tyr’s U.S. team will include Matt Grevers, a two-time medalist in Beijing, along with Ariana Kukors, Ricky Berens, Megan Jendrick, Amanda Weir, Nick Thoman and Josh Schneider.

“Like most swimmers, I want to go fast. Anything that can help me go faster I’ve learned to love and appreciate, and I really appreciate the new Tyr AP12 speed suit. More speed and less pain is the name of the game,” said Grevers.

The suits are available for preorder now with delivery in January. They retail for $320 for the women’s model and $240 or $260 for the men’s model.

On the top of your list this year should be TYR�s new Freak of Nature wetsuit. Made entirely of Yamamoto�s extremely flexible neoprene, the Freak of Nature wetsuit actually stretches 40% more than TYR�s top level Cat. 5 wetsuit. Comes with its own carrying case, exclusive swim cap, limited edition serial number and a repair kit so you can take great care of your favorite new prize possession. But what makes your investment even better _ as a Freak owner you�ll have the chance to win a slot in to the 2012 Ironman U.S. Championships in New York. Best gift ever.

Huntington Beach, CA � November 29, 2011 � TYR is excited to announce the availability of triathlon’s new premiere wetsuit: the TYR Hurricane Freak of Nature�. Available on TYR.com and at select retailers, the “Freak” is constructed of 100% 40 cell Nano SCS Yamamoto neoprene and able to stretch over seven times its static state. Elevation panels throughout the chest, core, and thighs, along with a .17 specific gravity, enable triathletes to keep their body properly positioned in the water.

Triathletes seeking top of the line speed and luxury along with a unique customer experience will get the total package in TYR’s Hurricane Freak of Nature. The wetsuit is packaged in a TYR branded steel briefcase with a custom Freak of Nature swim cap, a wetsuit care kit, and a member card with an individualized access code. Freak of Nature customers will be able to register at tyr.com/limitswillfall for exclusive benefits and contests.

“Freak” customers will also be eligible to win a slot in the Ironman U.S. Championship. To enter the contest, Freak of Nature owners must first register their wetsuit at tyr.com/limitswillfall, where they will be prompted to write a caption for a photo. Captions will be judged on originality, humor, and the spirit of triathlon. For more information on the official rules of the TYR Hurricane Freak of Nature Ironman New York 2012 Contest, visit tyr.com/limitswillfall/officialrules.

Top triathletes around the world are already praising the benefits of the TYR Hurricane Freak of Nature. Andy Potts, who was first out of the water at the 2010 and 2011 Ironman World Championships, calls the Freak of Nature’s expanded ROM zones “otherworldly effective”, while 4x Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington has said it is “far and away the most amazing wetsuit I have ever had the privilege to swim in.” Racing in the Freak of Nature for the first time, TYR’s Amanda Stevens was first out of the water at 2011 Ironman Arizona.

In addition to Wellington and Potts, other key athletes that will race in TYR’s Hurricane Freak of Nature wetsuit include reigning 2011 Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander, 2010 Ironman World Champion Mirinda Carfrae, and Ironman Champions Julie Dibens and TJ Tollakson.

TYR is running a new “Redefine What’s Possible” ad campaign to coincide with the Freak of Nature launch. The campaign will run in Triathlete, Inside Triathlon, LAVA, and 3GO magazines, and on Competitor.com and Slowtwitch.com.

Limited quantities are available now at select retail stores and on TYR.com for the holiday season. Additional quantities will be available for Spring 2012. For more information on TYR’s Hurricane Freak of Nature wetsuit, visit tyr.com/limitswillfall.